March 8, 2010

Spiced Methi Paratha Recipe | How to Make Methi Paratha

Methi parathas are fragrant and easy-to-prepare Indian parathas with fresh methi or fenugreek leaves. I love methi leaves for the slight bitterness they add to any dish. Methi dal is the usual favourite for TH and I and my default recipe to make with methi leaves. Each time I go to Little India, I scout around for a bunch. Apart from the extra time it takes to pick and clean them, I'd say cooking with the leaves is quite a delight and very rewarding in the flavour front. In fact, kasuri methi, the dried fenugreek leaves we add to dishes like paneer butter masala and paneer jalfrezi really elevate the flavour of those dishes.

Methi Paratha was the outcome one weekend when I really wanted my cooking duties to end with a simple, single dish. I checked out many recipes online and a couple of cookbooks I have. I realised there are two ways to make methi paratha:

1. Make a spiced stuffing like you do for aloo paratha or gobi paratha and make methi parathas the same way.
2. Chop up the leaves and add them to the doughwhile making the dough and make parathas as normal.

I decided to go midway between the two options. Check out all methi recipes on Edible Garden.Methi Paratha RecipeMakes: ~20 parathas

1. Heat the oil and add the jeera. After about 5 seconds, add the ginger, methi leaves, green chillies and some salt. Stir until the leaves start to wilt and get lightly toasted. Don't cook it for more than 7 mins. Let this mixture cool.

2. Add the spiced methi mixture to the atta, more salt if needed and enough water to make a soft, pliable dough. Divide into 6 equal-sized balls. Roll out each and cook on a tawa or griddle until both sides are golden brown.

3. After removing from fire, pat ghee or butter on both side and keep covered to maintain softness.